There is created a historic preservation commission in and for the city. (Prior code § 3-130)

The historic preservation commission shall consist of five members. (Prior code § 3-131)

Members of the historic preservation commission shall serve without compensation and shall be appointed by a majority of the council. (Prior code § 3-132)

Each member of the historic preservation commission shall be a qualified elector of the city at the time of appointment and during incumbency. All members shall demonstrate interest, competence and knowledge in historic preservation. Composition of the commission shall include at least one member doing business in one or more of the disciplines of architecture, history, architectural history, planning, archaeology, or other historic preservation related fields. (Ord. 5110 § 1, 1996: prior code § 3-134)

Section 24 of Ord. No. 5669, adopted Sept. 8, 2009, repealed § 2.76.050 which pertained to terms of office and derived from Ord. 5110, 1996; and prior code § 3-135.

Section 25 of Ord. No. 5669, adopted Sept. 8, 2009, repealed § 2.76.060 which pertained to vacancies and derived from prior code § 3-133.

Any member of the historic preservation commission may be removed by a majority vote of the council when, in the discretion of the council, the best interests of the city will be served. (Prior code § 3-136)

The historic preservation commission shall select one of its members as chairperson of the commission. In case of the absence of the chairperson, the members present at any meeting shall select one of their members to act as chairperson pro tempore. (Ord. 5110 § 3, 1996: prior code § 3-137)

The historic preservation commission shall meet at least once a month at such time and place as may be fixed by resolution. All meetings of the historic preservation commission shall be open to the public and held in compliance with the provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act of the state. The historic preservation commission shall keep a record of minutes of all of its proceedings and actions which shall be available for public inspection. (Ord. 5110 § 4, 1996: prior code § 3-138)

The historic preservation commission shall have the power and it shall be its duty to perform the following acts:

A. To consider and recommend to the city council additions to and deletions from the register of historic resources;

B. To keep current and publish a register of historic resources;

C. To make recommendations to the planning commission, and the city council on amendments to the historic preservation element of the city general plan;

D. To grant or deny applications for permits for demolition, or major alterations of historic resources;

E. To grant or deny appeals from decisions of the director of planning and the permit services administrator as specified in Section 15.20.030 of this code;

F. To encourage public understanding of and involvement in the unique historical, architectural and environmental heritage of the city through educational and interpretative programs;

G. To explore means for the protection, retention and use of any historic resource, historic district, or potential historic resource or district;

H. To make recommendations to the city council on applications for properties to be included in the property tax incentives program which may be subject to historic property contracts as set forth in Section 15.20.070 of this code;

I. To encourage private efforts to acquire property and raise funding on behalf of historic preservation; however, the commission is specifically denied the power to acquire any property or interest therein for or on behalf of itself or the city;

J. To recommend and encourage the protection, enhancement, appreciation and use of structures of historical, cultural, architectural, community or aesthetic value which have not been designated as historic resources but are deserving of recognition;

K. To encourage the cooperation between public and private historic preservation groups;

L. To advise city council and city boards and commissions as necessary on historic preservation issues;

M. To render decisions on design review applications affecting designated historic resources and affecting existing or proposed structures in designated historic district overlay zones pursuant to Chapter 30.47 of this code;

N. To perform any other functions that may be designated by resolution or motion of the city council. (Ord. 5535 § 4, 2006: Ord. 5425 § 3, 2004; Ord. 5110 § 5, 1996: Ord. 4986 § 1, 1992: prior code § 3-139)

The historic preservation commission may adopt, from time to time, such rules of procedure as it may deem necessary to properly exercise its powers and duties. All rules shall be kept on file in the offices of the director of planning and the city clerk. (Ord. 5110 § 6, 1996: prior code § 3-140)

Neither the historic preservation commission nor any member thereof shall incur any financial liability in the name of the city. (Prior code § 3-141)